Masai Russell drops 3-word reaction after being nominated for USATF Female Athlete of the Year award

Masai Russell recently shared her joy at being nominated for the USATF Female Athlete of the Year Award. The award will be presented at the 2024 Night of Legends on Saturday, December 7, 2024, during the USATF Annual Meeting.

While the male counterpart is awarded the Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year, the female winner is bestowed with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Athlete of the Year. Russell earned her place in the nomination alongside a few other elite American female athletes for the 43rd year of the USATF Female Athlete of the Year Award.

The American sprinter and hurdler earned the honor after a remarkable performance in the French capital at the 2024 Summer Olympics. The 24-year-old clinched a gold medal after dominating the women's 100m hurdles at the Stade de France.

She clocked a stunning time of 12.33 seconds to defeat the French hurdlers Cyrena Samba-Mayela and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, who clocked 12.34 seconds and 12.36 seconds, respectively. She earned her spot to compete in the quadrennial Games after leading the event at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials with 12.25 seconds, becoming the second American female athlete.

Russell shared the news of being nominated while expressing her delight on her Instagram story and wrote:

"Blessings on blessings."

Screenshot of Masai Russell's Instagram story.

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Nominees alongside Masai Russell for the 2024 USATF Female Athlete of the Year award

Masai Russell is introduced to the crowd during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Getty Images)

The race for the 2024 USATF Female Athlete of the Year award is particularly tough in the Olympic year, given all the nominees are Olympic gold medalists, including Masai Russell, Gabby Thomas, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and Tara-Davis Woodhall.

Gabby Thomas secured three gold medals at the 2024 Games, including the 200m - where she defeated the 100m champion Julien Alfred after posting a staggering 21.83 seconds and 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay events.

McLaughlin-Levrone defended her titles in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay at this year's Games. She shattered her previous record in the 400m hurdles event for the sixth time in Paris, registering a whopping 50.37 seconds.

Davis-Woodhall won a gold medal in the women's long jump after recording a distance of 7.10 m. Allman defended her title in the women's discus throw event. The 29-year-old thrower covered a distance of 69.50m.